Genesis 18:20-33 (Vespers, 1st Reading)
20 |
And the Lord said, “Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grave, |
21 |
“I will go down now and see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry against it that has come to Me; and if not, I will know.” |
22 |
Then the men turned away from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the Lord. |
23 |
And Abraham came near and said, “Would You also destroy the righteous with the wicked? |
24 |
“Suppose there were fifty righteous within the city; would You also destroy the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous that were in it? |
25 |
“Far be it from You to do such a thing as this, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be as the wicked; far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” |
26 |
So the Lord said, “If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes.” |
27 |
Then Abraham answered and said, “Indeed now, I who am but dust and ashes have taken it upon myself to speak to the Lord: |
28 |
“Suppose there were five less than the fifty righteous; would You destroy all of the city for lack of five?” So He said, “If I find there forty-five, I will not destroy it.” |
29 |
And he spoke to Him yet again and said, “Suppose there should be forty found there?” So He said, “I will not do it for the sake of forty.” |
30 |
Then he said, “Let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak: Suppose thirty should be found there?” So He said, “I will not do it if I find thirty there.” |
31 |
And he said, “Indeed now, I have taken it upon myself to speak to the Lord: Suppose twenty should be found there?” So He said, “I will not destroy it for the sake of twenty.” |
32 |
Then he said, “Let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak but once more: Suppose ten should be found there?” And He said, “I will not destroy it for the sake of ten.” |
33 |
So the Lord went His way as soon as He had finished speaking with Abraham; and Abraham returned to his place. |